Article and Method for Decorating Footwear and Other Articles

ABSTRACT

An accessorizing article for accessorizing footwear is provided wherein the footwear includes a footwear base and a footwear containment strap having a strap first end, a strap second end and a strap middle portion. The accessorizing article includes a first article band, wherein the first article band includes a first article band first end and a first article band second end, a second article band, wherein the second article band includes a second article band first end and a second article band second end and a band connection device, wherein the band connection device is securely associated with the footwear containment strap and configured to associate with the first article band and second article band such that the first article band and second article band is located proximate the strap middle portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims benefit from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/886,190 (Atty. Docket No. NAC-P-0001),filed Oct. 3, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an article for decorating an article ofclothing and more particularly to an article and method for decoratingfootwear, such as a flip-flop or sandal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Footwear comes in many different styles, designs and colors that allow awearer to express their individuality and sense of style. Some footwearis obtained in a decorative state and does not allow for the design ofthe shoe to be adjusted, while other footwear allows for certainstructures of the shoe to be ‘replaced’ or changed with similar elementshaving a different design. However, footwear that allows for the designto be changed also include limitations that only allow the wearer tochange the design using only the design elements that are available tothe wearer by the manufacturer. This is undesirable because it limitsthe wearer to only those designs that the manufacturer sees fit toproduce.

One such example is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/477,833which discloses a thong style sandal that includes straps that form a“Y” on the top of the sandal where the single leg of the “Y” is locatedbetween the toes of the wearer and the arms of the “Y” wrap around thefoot of the wearer. The invention allows for ornaments to be secured tothe strap at the intersection of the leg and arms of the “Y” via a snap.Unfortunately however, this type of design has multiple disadvantages.First, the ornament must be sized and configured to securely ‘snap’ intothe attachment system of the shoe without contacting the foot of thewearer during use. If the ornament is not sized correctly, as the wearerwalks and her foot bends, the foot of the wearer can contact theornament and either damage the ornament, press on the ornament such thatthe ornament disconnects from the strap ‘snap’ and/or, if the ornamentis rigid or includes sharp edges, cut the wearers foot. And second, thewearer is limited to the designs available by the manufacturer of theornament. Thus, the wearer is not completely able to express theirindividuality or design their shoe as they desire.

Another such example is shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/480,675 which discloses a sandal where the straps of the sandal havea hook and loop top surface that allows the design on the top surface ofthe strap to be interchangeable to have different designs. Unfortunatelyhowever, this type of design has several disadvantages. First, thelongevity of the hook and loop design is decreased because typicallyshoes experience a variety of environmental conditions that can and dodamage the hook and loop surface. Second, even though the straps of theshoe are interchangeable, the straps replacements must be configured(sized and shaped) for that particular shoe. And third, the wearer islimited to the designs available by the manufacturer of the strapreplacement. Thus, as above the wearer is not completely able to expresstheir individuality or design their shoe as they desire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An accessorizing article for accessorizing footwear is provided whereinthe footwear includes a footwear base and a footwear containment straphaving a strap first end, a strap second end and a strap middle portion.The accessorizing article includes a first article band, wherein thefirst article band includes a first article band first end and a firstarticle band second end, a second article band, wherein the secondarticle band includes a second article band first end and a secondarticle band second end and a band connection device, wherein the bandconnection device is securely associated with the footwear containmentstrap and configured to associate with the first article band and secondarticle band such that the first article band and second article band islocated proximate the strap middle portion.

A decorating article for decorating apparel/accessories is provided,wherein the apparel/accessories include a first connecting structure anda second connecting structure. The decorating article includes at leastone article band having an article band first end and an article bandsecond end, wherein the article band first end is configured toremovably associate with the first connecting structure, wherein thearticle band second end is configured to removably associate with thesecond connecting structure. The at least one article band is at leastone of, configured to associate with a decorative element via at leastone of a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hookand loop connector, quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strapw/tri-glide buckle, and configured to associate with a decorativeelement that defines a hollow portion, wherein the at least one articleband is configured to pass through the hollow portion.

Additionally, an accessorizing article for accessorizing footwear isprovided, wherein the footwear includes a footwear base and a footwearcontainment strap having a strap first end, a strap second end and astrap middle portion. The accessorizing article includes at least onearticle band and a band connection device, wherein the band connectiondevice is securely associated with the footwear containment strap andconfigured to associate with the at least one article band such that thefirst article band and second article band is located proximate thestrap middle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top down view of designable footwear, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is right front side isometric view of the designable footwear ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is right front side isometric view of the designable footwear ofFIG. 1 showing the second article band end of the second article banddisconnected from the band connection device.

FIG. 3B is a top down view of a first article band and a second articleband being connected to and disconnected from a band connection device,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3C is a right front side isometric view of the designable footwearof FIG. 1 showing strap anchors, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4A is a top down view of a quick-disconnect plastic buckle and atri-glide buckle, in accordance with additional embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 4B is a collage illustrating various types of connectors that maybe used with the invention, in accordance with additional embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 5 is a top down view of a decorative article on footwear, inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front top down view of a decorative article on footwear, inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front top down view of a decorative article on footwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an article band, in accordance with anadditional embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a top down view of the article band of FIG. 8 on footwear, inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a decorative article on footwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a decorative article on footwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a decorative article on footwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a decorative article on headwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a decorative article on headwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a decorative article on headwear, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a decorative article on a handbag, inaccordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, designable footwear 100 in accordancewith a first embodiment of the invention is shown and is configured as asandal. The footwear 100 includes a footwear base 102 and a footwearcontainment strap 104, wherein the footwear base 102 includes a footwearbase top 106, a footwear front portion 108 and a footwear rear portion110 and wherein the footwear containment strap 104 includes a strapfirst end 112, a strap second end 114 and a strap middle portion 116. Asshown, the strap first end 112 is anchored to the footwear base 102 onone side of the footwear 100, the strap second end 114 is anchored tothe footwear base 102 on the other side of the footwear 100 and thestrap middle portion 116 is anchored to the footwear base 102 in themiddle portion of the footwear base 102 proximate the footwear frontportion 108 of the footwear base 102. When the footwear 100 is worn thebottom of the foot of a wearer is incident with the footwear base top106 and the footwear containment strap 104 is incident with the top ofthe foot of a wearer such that the strap first end 112 is located on oneside of the wearers foot and the strap second end 114 is located on theother side of the wearers foot. Additionally, the strap middle portion116 is proximate the toes of the wearer, where either a portion of thestrap middle portion 116 is located between the toes of the wearer orthe anchor (that anchors the strap middle portion 116 to the footwearbase 102 in the middle portion of the footwear base 102) is locatedbetween the toes of the wearer.

The footwear 100 further includes a first article band 118 and a secondarticle band 120, wherein each of the first article band 118 and secondarticle band 120 include a first article band end 122 and a secondarticle band end 124. The first article band end 122 of the firstarticle band 118 is securely connected to the footwear containment strap104 proximate the strap first end 112 and the first article band end 122of the second article band 120 is securely connected to the footwearcontainment strap 104 proximate the strap second end 114. The footwear100 also includes a band connection device 126 securely connected to thestrap middle portion 116, wherein the band connection device 126 and thesecond article band end 124 (of the first and second article bands 118,120) are configured to securely and releaseably connect together. Itshould be appreciated that when the first article band 118 and secondarticle band 120 are connected to footwear containment strap 104, thefirst article band 118 and second article band 120 are proximate thefootwear containment strap 104 to be located above the footwearcontainment strap 104. It is contemplated that the first article band118 and/or second article band 120 may be constructed from any materialsuitable to the desired end purpose, such as metal, leather, rubber,fabric, etc. For example, the first article band 118 and/or secondarticle band 120 may be constructed from a chain link type constructionwhich would allow charms (such as lobster claw type charms) to beattached to the first article band 118 and/or second article band 120.Additionally, the first article band 118 and/or second article band 120may be constructed from a cylindrical (tube like) construction to allowcharms (such as Pandora® type charms) to be associated with the firstarticle band 118 and/or second article band 120.

Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the first article band 118 and secondarticle band 120 are configured such that when the second article bandend 124 (of the first and second article bands 118, 120) aredisconnected from the band connection device 126, the first and secondarticle bands 118, 120 can lift away from the footwear containment strap104. It should be appreciated that the first and second article band118, 120 are configured to receive charms that may open/close to clasparound the first and second article band 118, 120 and/or charms thathave an open cavity to receive the first and second article band 118,120, such as that used with Pandora® charm bracelets. Thus, when thesecond article band end 124 (of the first and second article bands 118,120) is disconnected from the band connection device 126, the secondarticle band end 124 can be inserted into and through the open cavity ofthe charm such that the first and second article bands 118, 120 may belocated within the open cavity of the charm. If the charm is configuredto open/close, the charm may simply be opened and wrapped around thefirst or second article band 118, 120 and closed such that the charm isassociated with the first or second article band 118, 120. Moreover,referring to FIG. 3C the footwear containment strap 104 may include astrap anchor 400 that is configured to associate with the first articleband 118 and the second article band 120 such that the first articleband 118 and the second article band 120 remain located proximate to thefootwear containment strap 104 along the length of the footwearcontainment strap 104 and the first article band 118 and the secondarticle band 120.

It should be appreciated that the first article band end 122 and/or thesecond article band end 124 may be configured to releaseably connect tothe footwear so that the first article band 118 and second article band120 may be removed if desired. Additionally, this allows the charms tobe associated with the first article band 118 and second article band120 via the first article band end 122 and/or the second article bandend 124, as desired. It should be further appreciated that the firstarticle band end 122 and/or the second article band end 124 connect tothe footwear via any method or device suitable to the desired endpurpose, such as a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threadedconnector, a hook and loop type connector, quick-disconnect plasticbuckle, a strap w/tri-glide buckle, etc. FIG. 4A illustrates oneembodiment of a quick-disconnect plastic buckle 130 and a tri-glidebuckle 132 that may be used in accordance with an embodiments of theinvention. FIG. 4B illustrates various other embodiments of connectorsthat may be used with the invention, such as a “hook and eye” typeconnector 140, a magnetic type connector 142, an “S-hook” type connector144, a “barrel clasp” type connector 146, a “toggle clasp” typeconnector 148, a “spring ring” type connector 150, a “lobster claw” typeconnector 152, a “bayonet” type connector 154 and a “Hook & Loop” typeconnector (Velcro®) 156. It should be appreciated that theaforementioned list of connector types are only some of the typesconnectors that may be used and that other connector types suitable tothe desired end purpose may be used. Accordingly, it is contemplatedthat the aforementioned list of connector types are not intended to belimiting as to the type of connectors that may be used.

Referring to FIG. 5, it is contemplated that in another embodiment ofthe invention the decoration article 200 may include only one articleband 201 where the article band 201 includes a first article band end202 and a second article band end 204 and where the band connectiondevice 226 (which may be fashioned as a decorative element) includes aconnection device cavity 206 through which the article band 201traverses. As such the article band 201 is located within the connectiondevice cavity 206 and the first article band end 202 is connected to thefootwear proximate the strap first end 112 and the second article bandend 204 is connected to the footwear proximate the strap second end 114.Decorative elements may be associated with the article band 201 bydisconnecting the first and/or second article band end 202, 204,associating the decorative elements with the article band 201 andreconnecting the first and/or second article band end 202, 204 with thearticle band 201.

In still yet additional embodiments, it is contemplated that the methodand article of the invention is not limited to sandal footwear havingthe configuration as shown in FIGS. 1-5, or sandal like footwear ingeneral. Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention isshown and includes footwear 300 having a third article band 302 inaddition to the first article band 118 and the second article band 120.It should be appreciated that the third article band 302 may beconfigured similarly to the first and second article bands 118, 120 suchthat each include a first article band end 122 and a second article bandend 124. It is contemplated that the first article band 118, the secondarticle band 120 and the third article band 302 are associated via aband connection device 126 and are configured and implemented asdiscussed hereinbefore and may be releaseably connected to the footwearcontainment strap 104 as above using any method or device suitable tothe desired end purpose, such as a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, athreaded connector, a hook and loop type connector, quick-disconnectplastic buckle, a strap w/tri-glide buckle, etc. FIG. 7 illustratesanother sandal type of footwear the article of the invention may be usedwith in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Itshould be appreciated that the band connection device 126 may bepermanently or removably associated with the footwear and/or the articlebands 118, 120, 302. For example, the band connection device 126 may beaffixed to the footwear containment strap 104 or the band connectiondevice 126 may be affixed to the end of one of the article bands 118,120, 302 or the band connection device 126 may not be affixed to anystructure and may be configured to releasably connect to the articlebands 118, 120, 302.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, it is contemplated that in still yetanother embodiment the first, second and/or third article bands 118,120, 302 may be of a chain link type of construction and may beremovably (or permanently) attached. This advantageously allowsdecorative elements having a clip type of connector to be attached tothe link of an article band 118, 120, 302. It should be appreciated thatthe third article bands 118, 120, 302 may be constructed from anymaterial suitable to the desired end purpose, such as metal, plastic,rubber, leather, cloth, etc.

It should be appreciated that the invention includes a method fordecorating clothing and other articles (shoes, hats, purses, bags, etc)is provided and includes attaching a decorative element (charm, etc.) toat least one of the article bands 118, 120, 302 as discussedhereinabove. For example, if the embodiment of the invention includesarticle bands 118, 120, 302 that connect/disconnect at both the firstarticle band end 122 and the second article band end 124, then themethod includes disconnecting at least one of the article band ends 122,124, associating the decorative element (by slipping the decorativeelement over the article band 118, 120, 302) and then reconnecting theat least one article band ends 122, 124. As another example, if theembodiment includes an article band where the decorative element isconnectable to the article band 118, 120, 302 via an open-closeconnector (see FIG. 4B), then the method includes associating thedecorative element (by operating the open-close connector) toassociate/connect the decorative element with the at least one articleband 118, 120, 302. Moreover, as still yet another example, if theembodiment is configured as a retrofit embodiment, then the at least onearticle band 118, 120, 302 is associated with the article to bedecorated (via a clip, clasp, snap, hook and loop (Velcro®), etc. . . .) and the decorative element is associated with the at least one articleband 118, 120, 302 as discussed hereinabove.

Additionally, the attached appendices are not intended and should not beviewed as limiting the invention. Rather, the information containedwithin the appendices should be viewed as augmenting the scope of theinvention and any information that appears to be inconsistent should beviewed as an additional embodiment and/or as an addition to an existingembodiment.

Moreover, as briefly mentioned above, the decoration article 100, 200,300 of the invention, may be used with footwear other than sandal typefootwear. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrates the decoration article 100,200, 300 being used (in two different fashions) with a high heel typefootwear, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. FIG.12 illustrates the decoration article 100, 200, 300 being used with boottype footwear, in accordance with yet another embodiment of theinvention. Additionally, it is contemplated that the decoration articleof the invention may be used with other clothing articles other thanfootwear. For example, FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 illustrate thedecoration article 100, 200, 300 being used with hats, in accordancewith still yet another embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, it iscontemplated that the decoration article of the invention may also beused with non-clothing articles as well. For example, FIG. 16illustrates the decoration article 100, 200, 300 being used with apurse, satchel or a handbag, in accordance with still yet anotherembodiment of the invention.

It should be appreciated that the articles with which the decorationarticle 100, 200, 300 will be used with, may be manufactured to beconfigured to interact with the decoration article 100, 200, 300 or thedecoration article 100, 200, 300 may be associated with the articles ina retrofit manner. For example, in one embodiment, the connectorsconfigured to securingly and releasably interact with the first andsecond article band ends 122, 124 may be retro-fittingly secured to thearticle via a hook and loop attachment or via an adhesive. This wouldadvantageously allow the user to configure the article as they desireand locate and arrange the decoration article 100, 200, 300 as desired.

It should be appreciated that while the invention has been describedwith reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/oradditions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elementsthereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from thescope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims and/or information. Moreover, unless specifically stated any useof the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance,but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish oneelement from another.

I claim:
 1. An accessorizing article for accessorizing footwear, whereinthe footwear includes a footwear base and a footwear containment straphaving a strap first end, a strap second end and a strap middle portion,the accessorizing article comprising: a first article band, wherein thefirst article band includes a first article band first end and a firstarticle band second end; a second article band, wherein the secondarticle band includes a second article band first end and a secondarticle band second end; and a band connection device, wherein the bandconnection device is securely associated with the footwear containmentstrap and configured to associate with the first article band and secondarticle band such that the first article band and second article band islocated proximate the strap middle portion.
 2. The accessorizing articleof claim 1, wherein the first article band first end is associated withthe strap first end and the first article band second end is associatedwith the band connection device.
 3. The accessorizing article of claim1, wherein the second article band first end is associated with thestrap second end and the second article band second end is associatedwith the band connection device.
 4. The accessorizing article of claim1, wherein the first article band first end is securely and removablyassociated with the strap first end via at least one of a clip, clasp, apost/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hook and loop connector,quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strap w/tri-glide buckle.
 5. Theaccessorizing article of claim 1, wherein the second article band firstend is securely and removably associated with the strap second end viaat least one of a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threadedconnector, a hook and loop connector, quick-disconnect plastic buckleand a strap w/tri-glide buckle.
 6. The accessorizing article of claim 1,wherein the first article band second end and second article band secondend is securely and removably associated with the band connection devicevia at least one of a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threadedconnector, a hook and loop connector, quick-disconnect plastic buckleand a strap w/tri-glide buckle.
 7. The accessorizing article of claim 1,wherein first article band and the second article band are configured toassociate with one or more decorative elements.
 8. The accessorizingarticle of claim 7, wherein the decorative elements are configured witha securing means to connect to at least one of the first article bandand the second article band.
 9. The accessorizing article of claim 7,wherein the decorative elements define a hollow portion for containingat least one of the first article band and the second article band, andwherein the first article band and second article band are configuredsuch that the first article band and second article band can passthrough the hollow portion of the decorative elements.
 10. Theaccessorizing article of claim 1, wherein the footwear containment strapincludes a strap anchor configured to associate with at least one of thefirst article band and the second article band such that the firstarticle band and the second article band are located proximate thefootwear containment strap along the length of the first article bandand the second article band.
 11. An accessorizing article foraccessorizing footwear, wherein the footwear includes a footwear baseand a footwear containment strap having a strap first end, a strapsecond end and a strap middle portion, the accessorizing articlecomprising: at least one article band; and a band connection device,wherein the band connection device is securely associated with thefootwear containment strap and configured to associate with the at leastone article band such that the first article band and second articleband is located proximate the strap middle portion.
 12. Theaccessorizing article of claim 11, wherein the at least one article bandincludes, a first article band, wherein the first article band includesa first article band first end and a first article band second end; asecond article band, wherein the second article band includes a secondarticle band first end and a second article band second end; and a bandconnection device, wherein the band connection device is securelyassociated with the footwear containment strap and configured toassociate with the first article band and second article band such thatthe first article band and second article band is located proximate thestrap middle portion.
 13. The accessorizing article of claim 12,wherein, the first article band first end is associated with the strapfirst end and the first article band second end is associated with theband connection device, and the second article band first end isassociated with the strap second end and the second article band secondend is associated with the band connection device.
 14. The accessorizingarticle of claim 12, wherein, the first article band first end issecurely and removably associated with the strap first end via at leastone of a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hookand loop connector, quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strapw/tri-glide buckle, the second article band first end is securely andremovably associated with the strap second end via at least one of aclip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hook and loopconnector, quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strap w/tri-glidebuckle, and the first article band second end and second article bandsecond end is securely and removably associated with the band connectiondevice via at least one of a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, athreaded connector, a hook and loop connector, quick-disconnect plasticbuckle and a strap w/tri-glide buckle.
 15. The accessorizing article ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one article band includes one articleband having an article band first end and an article band second end,and wherein the band connection device defines a connection devicecavity configured to contain a portion of the one article band.
 16. Theaccessorizing article of claim 11, wherein the article band first end issecurely and removably associated with the strap first end via at leastone of a clip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hookand loop connector, quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strapw/tri-glide buckle, and wherein the article band second end is securelyand removably associated with the strap second end via at least one of aclip, clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hook and loopconnector, quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strap w/tri-glidebuckle.
 17. The accessorizing article of claim 11, wherein the bandconnection device defines a connection device cavity configured tocontain a portion of the one article band, wherein the article bandfirst end is associated with the strap first end, the article bandsecond end is associated with the strap second end.
 18. Theaccessorizing article of claim 11, wherein the decorative elementsdefine a hollow portion for containing at least one of the first articleband and the second article band, and wherein the first article band andsecond article band are cylindrical in shape such that the first articleband and second article band can pass through the hollow portion of thedecorative elements.
 19. The accessorizing article of claim 11, whereinthe band connection device is configured to securely and removablyassociate with a decorative element.
 20. A decorating article fordecorating apparel/accessories, wherein the apparel/accessories includea first connecting structure and a second connecting structure, thedecorating article comprising: at least one article band having anarticle band first end and an article band second end, wherein thearticle band first end is configured to removably associate with thefirst connecting structure; and wherein the article band second end isconfigured to removably associate with the second connecting structure,and wherein the at least one article band is at least one of, configuredto associate with a decorative element via at least one of a clip,clasp, a post/pin fastener, a threaded connector, a hook and loopconnector, quick-disconnect plastic buckle and a strap w/tri-glidebuckle, and configured to associate with a decorative element thatdefines a hollow portion, wherein the at least one article band isconfigured to pass through the hollow portion.